One Next Step: Management Tips & Tools for Small Business Owners

If you find yourself thinking you need to grow before you can start bringing on help, you might have it backwards. Often, investing in the right people can free you up to focus on growing far more efficiently than you could on your own. Today’s guests are a powerful team who have learned this truth through firsthand experience: Geoff Welch and Trúc Towns. Geoff is a leadership consultant helping g...

In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, harnessing the power of technology and artificial intelligence has become essential for businesses and professionals aiming to thrive in their respective fields. Today, we have the privilege of hearing from a remarkable duo who have embraced the potential of AI to enhance their productivity and streamline their work processes. Wes Gay is a StoryBrand...

Today on the podcast, we have a special episode courtesy of our friends at the Maxwell Leadership Podcast. BELAY CFO Lisa Zeeveld sat down with Mark Cole recently to co-host an episode of the Maxwell Leadership Podcast about how to get time back as a leader. The conversation was so great that we wanted to be sure our One Next Step listeners could hear it too.   See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

In this Bonus Next Step, Tricia and LZ share how to identify and prioritize your most important emails so they don’t get lost in the mix.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Communication is a critical part of leadership. But managing email can be tedious and frustrating for busy leaders. In this episode, Tricia and LZ will discuss their strategies for email management and reaching “inbox zero.” Leaders will get new ideas about how to manage email, how Tricia and LZ  delegate to their virtual assistants, how they  prioritize their emails, and a lot more!  Welcome to e...

In this Bonus Next Step, Ashley Webb shares the one thing she wishes she would have known before starting this process of building relationships with potential partners and affiliates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

B2B marketing can often be hit or miss. And determining and getting access to your target market can also be difficult. The best way to find and access that target market is to align yourself with companies who already have relationships with those people.  They can introduce you to that market directly using their relationship, trust and team. Our goal is for business owners to be able to more ef...

In this Bonus Next Step, Theresa Summerlin breaks down the pros and cons of hiring a virtual assistant to help run your social media, versus hiring a dedicated social media manager. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a major difference between recognizing that social media is important and having the knowledge and skills you need to use it effectively. If you’re struggling to find the time to devote to social media, or you want to take your strategy to the next level, it might be time to hire a social media manager.  In this episode, BELAY VP of Marketing Amy Appleton talks with Solutions Consultant Th...

In this Bonus Next Step, Tricia and LZ share some of the key red flags to look out for when someone isn't right for the job. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What makes up the perfect virtual assistant? What should leaders be looking for when they are hiring this important position? In this episode, Tricia and LZ will share the key attributes that make up a great VA, from their decades of experience in interviewing, hiring, and being them. They’ll leave our listeners empowered and equipped to find the right fit for the job, knowing exactly what to look...

In this Bonus Next Step, Ryan Fitzgerald shares what benefits business owners and leaders fail to think about when it comes to the hybrid, remote model. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we’ll talk with BELAY’s own Ryan Fitzgerald, who is our Senior Marketing Manager. He’ll talk about the benefits of fractional, hybrid workforces.  With so many businesses going remote over the last two years, Ryan has some incredible insight into the benefits they are beginning to see as remote companies, and what the business world looks like moving forward. Business owners who ar...

In this Bonus Next Step, Amy Appleton tells small business owners and solopreneurs without someone dedicated to marketing, where do they can go to get help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Return on Investment (ROI). Every business leader knows what it is, and knows it’s important, but how many really have put a plan in practice to build a healthy ROI in their marketing? In this episode, Amy Appleton, Director of Marketing at BELAY, rejoins the podcast to talk with LZ about all things ROI. They’ll discuss what a good ROI looks like, how to know when you’re succeeding with ROI, what...

In this Bonus Next Step, Madison Morgan share some of the characteristics that sets a great VA apart from the crowd during the interview process.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The process of finding a great virtual assistant can feel overwhelming, so it’s important to make sure you know what traits you’re looking for and how to screen for them in the interview process. In this episode, BELAY Director of Talent Madison Morgan will share an overview of BELAY’s proven process for hiring great VAs. She’ll also explain how partnering with BELAY can save leaders an enormous a...

It’s the leader’s job to chart the direction of the business. However, even with a clear vision, selecting the right goals can be challenging and overwhelming, especially when there are more options and opportunities than resources. Without specific goals, you and your team will struggle to focus and maximize the return on your effort.    Tracking progress often feels just as confusing. Even the m...

In this Bonus Next Step, Carrie Fabris explains what “all in” means and shares a few tips for leaders to help them confront the barriers keeping them from experiencing everything life has to offer.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all want to hire people who are good at what they do, but how do we make sure we’re allowing our team members to play to their unique strengths? This is a question that Carrie Fabris has helped many leaders answer as a coach and a speaker, and in this episode, she’s going to share her insight with our listeners.  Anyone who listens to this episode should gain a better understanding of what it m...

In this Bonus Next Step, John Duisberg shares how building a great employee experience helps businesses attract quality talent, and how leaders can best communicate their unique culture to prospective employees. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

67% of employees say burnout has worsened during the pandemic, so it’s more important than ever for leaders to prioritize the employee experience. In this episode, John Duisberg, co-founder of Cooleaf and host of “The Great Retention,” will break down some of the common problems he’s seen when it comes to employee experience, and he’ll share practical steps leaders can take to better engage their...

Even the most capable working professionals struggle with self-doubt, costing themselves time, money, opportunities, and their reputations. In this special episode, Lisa interviews Tricia, focusing on her approach to helping leaders harness their grit and trust their gut so they can defeat self-doubt, gain confidence, and make progress on their priorities. Welcome to this episode of the One Next S...

In this Bonus Next Step, Mike Byam explains how leaders can give recognition that resonates with employees and makes them feel appreciated but not create a sense of entitlement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For leaders dealing with hiring and retention issues, employee recognition is probably not their top priority. But Mike Byam believes it should be. In this episode, he’ll explain why recognition is vital for a healthy work culture, and he’ll break down the specific types of recognition and communication that today’s employees are looking to receive from their employers.  Leaders should walk away f...